On National Pollution Prevention Day, IESA advocates for the compulsory acquisition of electric vehicles (EVs) as second-family cars and the substitution of diesel generators with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in commercial and industrial areas to mitigate air pollution.
Recent studies indicate that air pollution causes over one million deaths annually in India, with particulate matter (PM 2.5) posing significant health risks. A report from Swiss technology firm IQAir ranks Delhi as the second most polluted city globally, with air quality index (AQI) levels soaring to 1000-1200 in certain areas. In response, IESA is pushing for stricter policies to curb air pollution and reduce dependency on polluting energy sources.
The Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change initiated the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) in 2019, aiming to cut particulate matter levels by 30% by 2024. The program identified that stationary diesel generators are responsible for 18% of urban air pollution. Last year, the Commission for Air Quality Management limited diesel generator use in processions and specific industrial and commercial zones in Delhi NCR, allowing their operation solely as a backup due to unreliable power supply challenges.
IESA President Debi Prasad Dash has voiced concerns about escalating air pollution in India, particularly in Delhi, and highlighted the necessity of reducing conventional fuel use. Dash has advocated for promoting electric mobility to lessen pollution and suggested government regulations to limit the number of conventional fuel-based vehicles per household by mandating EVs as second vehicles.
Furthermore, IESA has proposed that commercial and industrial facilities in Delhi replace diesel generators with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and other advanced energy storage technologies. This recommendation includes adopting a Public Service Layer (PSL) system for BESS in sectors like hotels, hospitals, shopping malls, and complexes, following successful global implementations.
IESA also advises that both central and state governments enforce the adoption of energy storage systems in commercial and industrial infrastructures. They are calling for a green building code that mandates BESS backup with rooftop solar options, akin to the Green Telecom directive by TRAI, to boost energy sustainability in urban environments.
This strategic focus on advanced energy storage technologies and the transition from diesel generators to green storage solutions represents a crucial move towards reducing air pollution and promoting cleaner energy use in India’s metropolitan areas.
